Former Columbia mayor Treece sworn in as member of Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Former Columbia mayor Brian Treece spent his morning at the Missouri Capitol on Tuesday in the company of Gov. Mike Parson and Missouri Supreme Court Judge Patricia Breckenridge, being sworn in as the new commissioner of the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission.

"You're going to see lots of projects in the next five years," Parson said. "People are going to be going to work, you're going to see major improvements around our state and really be able to look at some projects we haven't been able to look at."

When asked about the strengths he brings to this newly appointed position, Treece cited his love of infrastructure and transportation. He had a role in getting projects such as the new Missouri River bridge on Interstate 70 near Rocheport and a new terminal at Columbia Regional Airport off the ground in his role as mayor for six years.

"I am going to continue my ethos of transparency to make sure they (citizens) know where every dollar comes from, where every dollar is spent and we're using it wisely," Treece said.

Missouri Department of Transportation Director Patrick McKenna said MoDOT has recently lost close to 20,000 combined years of experience. Talented workers with marketable skills are in demand and are not opposed to leaving MoDOT to find employment somewhere with higher pay. With opportunities for employment all over the country, MoDOT is trying to keep talent here in Missouri.

"When people are leaving because they're not getting paid enough, you got to pay them more," McKenna said. "While we're getting a good value from them, we want to treat them well and make sure they feel like they have a career at MoDOT."